Connecting Our Community with Christ



We stand as a mighty tree in our community:
Strong and rooted,
Soaring and reaching,
Vibrant and fruitful,
Sheltering and comforting.

In worship this Sunday
October 25, 2020


Minister: Rev. Jeff Day

Liturgist: Connie Buck

Musicians: Albina Khaliapova and Eduard Teregulov

Usher: Sherry Hutchinson
Flowers this Sunday
are given in loving memory of
Barbara Payton
by Dudley Payton.

If you would like to participate with Highland Presbyterian Church remotely, we will stream this Sunday's service (9:30 a.m.) on our facebook page, www.facebook.com/HPCBR



Immediate Church Family*: 
Doris Baugh; Inez Geoghegan; Skippy Thompson.

Extended Church Family*:
The family of Brad Smith; The family of Barbara Bradford Smith; Maddie Richey (friend of the Leonards); Brandon Behrmann (Carol’s nephew); Austin Casey (Jack and Betty Bagent’s grandson); Forrest Day (Jeff Day's son); Mary Lane Day (Jeff Day’s sister); Rachel Eastman (Jack and Betty Bagent's granddaughter); Eva Fuller (Inez Geoghegan’s niece); Julius Fuller (Inez Geoghegan’s brother); Randy Geoghegan (Inez’s son); Carol Harrison (Rob Stewart’s Mother); Carol Laborde (Connie Leonard's sister); Joyce Lehman (Barb Pfeifer's cousin); Marilyn Lewis (Bill and Billy Lewis’ daughter-in-law); Aleta Pickholtz; Gloria Smith (Deanna Lewis Sklar's daughter); Larry Wilcoxson (friend of the Leonards).

*New names added to the prayer list this week are in italics.

Birthdays
October 25 - 31: Todd Stewart (26), Donna Lowry (31)

Anniversaries
October 7 - Chacko and Rosemary John

ANNOUNCEMENTS












Albina has graciously invited us to a piano recital showcasing her graduate performance recital for the semester. The Recital will be held on Friday, October 30 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. If you would like to attend and need a ride, please contact Louise Dye (225-767-3091). All Covid-19 mitigation policies will be observed.

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Called Congregational Meeting
November 1, 2020
for the election of Elders and Nominating Committee members
The Session of Highland has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, November 1, 2020, immediately following worship, for the purpose of electing two Ruling Elders to the Class of 2023 and three members of the Congregation to the 2021 Nominating Committee. If you choose not to attend this meeting due to the risk of Covid-19, you may cast an Absentee Ballot. Please notify Louise Dye, louisedla@aol.com or 225-767-3091 if you would like to do so.

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Time to "Fall Back"
The change from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time is next Sunday, November 1, 2020. Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour when you go to bed Saturday night.

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Resumption of Communion on the First Sunday of each month.
Highland will return to its practice of celebrating communion on the first Sunday of each month beginning November 1, 2020. Communion elements will be provided in individual, sealed containers.

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Sunday Worship
Rev. Day continues our journey with the early Christians in the Book of Acts on Sunday. "The Mercy of Judgement" is the title for his sermon that will focus on Acts 11:21, Luke 13:1-9 and Psalm 62.

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The Shepherd's Market Food Pantry
During this time of uncertainty, the Shepherd's Market Food Pantry greatly needs your support. Our blue grocery basket will remain in the Sanctuary as a reminder of this need and our ability to meet it.

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Coffee Labels
Magnolia Woods Elementary continues to collect Community Coffee labels. Please place your labels in a plastic baggie and place the baggie in our blue grocery basket.

This week at HPC:
Monday, October 26:
    
Tuesday, October 27:

Wednesday, October 28:
7:00 p.m. Ladies’ AA

Thursday, October 29: 
8:00 p.m. Men’s AA

Friday, October 30:
12:00 p.m. AA

Saturday, October 31:

Sunday, November 1: Daylight Saving Time ends
9:30 a.m. Worship/Communion
10:30 a.m. Called Congregational Meeting
7:00 p.m. AA
Session News
  • Session approved calling a Congregational Meeting, Sunday, November 1, 2020 immediately following worship for the purpose of electing two Ruling Elders for the Class of 2023 and three members of the Congregation for the 2021 Nominating Committee.
  • In order to have a quorum of Active Members represented in the election of Ruling Elders and Congregational representatives during Covid-19, Session approved allowing members who would normally attend worship but have chosen not to because of concerns for infection to express their vote via written ballot. This action will apply to the Called Congrega-tional Meeting on November 1, 2020, only.
  • Session approved a special offering for Heifer International to be received on Sunday, November 15, 2020. Heifer Giving Catalogues will be made available for those attending church to take home.
  • Session approved Communion on November 1, December 6, 2020, and January 3, 2021. The elements will be provided as individual, sealed sets available for members to pick up prior to the service.
  • Session approved Sunday, November 22, 2020, as Commitment Sunday culminating the end of the 2020 Stewardship Drive.
Committee Reports

Christian Education & Congregational Care
  • Homebound members continue to be contacted by mail, email or phone on a regular basis.
  • Telephone calls to homebound and/or members who miss two consecutive Sundays are made as needed.
  • A memorial service for Deanna Lewis Sklar was held at the church on September 6, 2020. Her daughter, Ria Smith, continues to be in Baton Rouge involved with the details of the estate. She is contacted by church members frequently.

Evangelism/Membership
  • The average attendance in July was 21, August was 20, and September was 20. There were 7 visitors on September 6. Notes of welcome were sent to all and information about Highland was sent to those who requested it. There were two visitors on October 4. One was a repeat visitor and information was sent to the second.  

Finance
  • For the month of July, income of $5,753.00 exceeded expenses of $4,403.85 by $1,349.15. 
  • For the month of August income of $9,612.00 exceeded expenses of $3,500.21 by $6,111.79.
  • For the month of September income of $6,905.90 exceeded expenses of $3,138.52 by $3,767.38.
  • Session received the Insurance Review for 2020. Coverage and expenditures are consistent with needs.

Missions
  • A basketful of food items was taken to the Shepherd’s Market at St. John’s Methodist Church in August and again on October 8.  
  • The Peace and Global Witness Offering was received on October 4.

Property
  • Maintenance to the AC unit in the Sanctuary was performed including installation of a shut off valve to prevent future pan overflows.
  • A fall garden was planted with cabbages and broccoli. The citrus orchard appears to have a smaller harvest than last year, but will be picked when the fruit has ripened.
  • Heating options for the Great Hall will need to be considered before cold weather arrives.
  • Painting needs to be done on the Sanctuary building.

Worship Committee
  • Worship services were conducted in accordance with the recommended guidelines for the COVID-19
  • Rev. Jeff Day gave the following sermons:
  1. Oct 11 – “Closing the Circle”
  2. Oct 4 - “Listening with the Heart.”  Oct 4 was the World Communion Day. The Church celebrated the communion with individual sealed elements . Members watching on the live broadcast were able to provide their own elements.
  3. Sept 27 - “Doubling Your Gratitude”
  4. Sept 20 - “Standing by Words”
  5. Sept 13 - “The Surprising Light “
  6. Aug 23 – “ Grace on the Go”
  7. Aug 16 – “Moving towards Conversion”
  8. Aug 9 – “A Final Blessing”
  9. Aug 2 – “Facing the Worst with the Best”
  10. July 26 – “The ‘Go To’ Spirit”
  11. July 19 – “Forward with the ‘The Three Rs’”
  • Sept 6 – Highland served as a neutral pulpit for a candidate for University Presbyterian Church’s Associate Pastor position.
  • Aug 30 - Robert Lowry gave the sermon “The Coronavirus Blues”
Highland Presbyterian Church is a vibrant tree in God's grace-filled orchard. Deeply rooted in God's life-giving presence here on earth, this tree extends its branches to support one another in faith and reach into the world around it to produce fruit. Whether you are seeking God's presence through questions or service, discussion or fellowship, there is a home for you at Highland.
Connecting with Highland Presbyterian Church
office: 766-5775 (please leave a message)
emergency: Elder Louise Dye (H) 767-3091, (C) 337-6390
Elder Connie Buck (H) 769-2756, (C) 975-2862
Highland Presbyterian Church (USA)
10024 Highland Road • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.766.5775 • www.highlandpresbyterian.org